HP Latex 115

[wcisme]

Hey everyone,

We are looking at replacing our Epson 9900s. We no longer use them for proofing, we are an all digital shop now. We have been using them for a client to make large framed prints and some indoor signage. Have also been buying out a fair amount of simple outdoor vinyl banners. Doing enough now that it would be nice to bring that inside if possible. What my hope would be is to have a device that can do both high quality large prints on paper (roll) as well as do banners on vinyl. Our HP rep recommended looking the HP Latex 115.

I have looked around for reviews and haven't found much from actual users. Wondering if anyone here has experience with it or has a recommendation on a entry level device that could meet our needs.

Thanks in advance,
WC

 

[Correct Color]

WC,

The HP is a fine machine for doing reasonable commercial quality signage, banner and point of purchase work. You'd be well pleased with it for simple outdoor banners.

However, if by "high quality large prints on paper" you mean fine-art type quality on photo-grade stocks, no.

It will not work.

It doesn't have a small enough dot to do that. Your Epsons have a 3.5 picoliter dot, plus light cyan and magenta and three channels of light black. HP plays the actual dot size of the latex machines very close to the vest, but it's around 12 picoliter, and they only have light cyan and light magenta. No light blacks.

I have a well-known national client who, when they set up their print operation to print canvas and photo-grade papers, was told by their HP rep that the latex machines could handle all their needs.

They could not. Latex does surprisingly well on canvas, because canvas is pretty forgiving at hiding graininess. Photo-grade stock, however, is not. Not to mention that on true photo-grade stock, latex ink has a somewhat dull, unappealing look.

The client wound up buying Canon imagePrografs for the fine art paper stock work, and kept the latex machines for canvas.

If, by "high quality large prints on paper" you mean images viewed from more than arm's-length printed on poster material, then yeah, you could probably get away with a latex.

But you will see a noticeable drop in quality from your 9900's.

Bottom line is that if you want to print fine art-quality images on photo-grade stocks you need a small dot aqueous machine with light colors and light blacks to do a high-end job.

Canon and Epson are the players.

Of course bottom line is also that these machines are too slow and aqueous materials are too expensive for them to compete in the commercial-work arena. So in answer to your question: No, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.


Mike Adams
Correct Color

 

[wcisme]

Mike really appreciate the detailed thought out response. Makes total sense.


WC